Download Gotta Know Phyla

Gotta Know Phyla
1.
Porifera (pore-IH-fer-ah) The sponges are all water-dwellers (98% marine, 2% freshwater), and are sometimes
classified separately from other animals because of their asymmetric bodies and lack of distinct tissues. They are sessile
(immobile) except in early dispersing stages, and collect food particles via the sweeping motions of flagellated cells
called choanocytes [koh-ANN-oh-sites].
2.
Cnidaria (nih-DARE-ee-ya) Also called Coelenterata, the cnidarians develop from a diploblastic (two-layered) embryo,
and have two separate tissue layers and radial body symmetry. Many cnidarians have two life stages, the mobile, usually
bell-like medusa and the sessile polyp. All cnidarians have nematocysts, or stinging cells, for capturing prey, and some
can inflict painful stings on swimmers. Examples include the hydras, sea anemones, corals, jellyfishes, and Portuguese
man-o-war.
3.
Platyhelminthes (PLAT-ee-hel-MIN-theez) The flatworms are the most primitive phylum to develop from a
triploblastic (three-layered) embryo. They have bilateral body symmetry, and are acoelomate (lacking a true body
cavity), so that the space between the digestive tract and the body wall is filled with tissue. As the name implies, they are
generally flat-bodied. They have a true head and brain, but the digestive system has only one opening that functions as
both mouth and anus. Most are hermaphroditic. This phylum includes parasites such as the tapeworms and flukes, as
well as free-living (i.e., non-parasitic) organisms such as the planarians.
4.
Nematoda (NEM-ah-TOE-dah) The roundworms are unsegmented worms that live in a variety of habitats. They are
pseudocoelomate; the three tissue layers are concentric, but the body cavity is not lined with tissue derived from the
mesoderm (middle embryonic layer). They include both free-living and parasitic species; human parasites include
hookworms and the causative agents of elephantiasis, trichinosis, and river blindness. Soil nematodes may be crop pests,
while others are beneficial predators on other plant pests.
5.
Annelida (AN-el-LEE-dah) The annelids are segmented worms and represent the first lineage of truly eucoelomate
(having a body cavity lined with mesoderm-derived tissue) animals; their body cavities are lined with tissue derived
from the embryonic mesoderm. Annelid classes include the marine Polychaeta, as well as the mostly terrestrial
Oligochaeta (including the earthworms, Lumbricus) and the mostly-aquatic Hirudinea, or leeches. Characteristics of
annelids include nephridia (kidney-like structures), blood vessels, and, in some classes, hermaphroditism.
6.
Arthropoda (ar-THROP-oh-dah) The most diverse and successful animal phylum on earth (incorporating about 75% of
all described animal species), the Arthropoda are characterized by jointed legs and a chitinous exoskeleton. Like
annelids, they are segmented, but unlike annelids, their segments are usually fused into larger body parts with
specialized functions (such as the head, thorax, and abdomen of an insect).
7.
Cycliophora (CY-clee-oh-FORE-ah) The most recently named phylum; its only known member is Symbion pandora, a
tiny invertebrate first identified in 1995 when a Danish biologist found specimens on the mouthparts of a Norwegian
lobster. It is believed to be closely related to the marine phyla Entoprocta and Ectoprocta (Bryozoa), which are not
discussed here.
8.
Mollusca (mol-LUS-kah) The molluscs are second in diversity only to the arthropods. Body plans within this phylum
are diverse, but general characteristics include a soft body covered by a thin mantle, with a muscular foot and an internal
visceral mass. There are two fluid-filled body cavities derived from mesodermal tissue; a small coelom and a large
hemocoel that functions as an open circulatory system. Many molluscs have a shell composed of calcium carbonate and
proteins, secreted by the mantle. Familiar groups within the Mollusca include the classes Gastropoda (slugs, snails),
Bivalvia (clams, oysters, scallops), and Cephalopoda (nautilus, squids, octopi).
9.
Echinodermata (ek-KY-no-der-MAH-tah) Characteristics of this phylum include an endoskeleton composed of many
ossicles of calcium and magnesium carbonate, a water vascular system (WVS), a ring canal around the esophagus, and
locomotion by tube feet connected to the WVS. Unique to echinoderms is the five-fold radial symmetry obvious in sea
stars (seafish), sea urchins, and sea lilies. In the echinoderm body plan, a true head is absent; the anatomical terms oral
(mouth-bearing) and aboral (away from the mouth) are used to describe orientation of the body surfaces.
10. Chordata (kor-DAH-tah) Defining traits of chordates include pharyngeal gill slits, a notochord, a post-anal tail, and a
dorsal hollow nerve cord. In vertebrates, some of these structures are found only in embryonic stages. The lancelet
Amphioxus (Branchiostoma) is often used as a demonstration organism in biology labs.